Braulio Perez@BraulioEPerez 26m26 minutes ago Iselin, NJ
Preview: Piscataway HC Dan Higgins looks forward to RBs Elijah Barnwell,
@EPierson3 and
@tae_strick_23 battle it out
http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/1433164444635569040/football-piscataway-coach-dan-higgins-looking-forward-to-fridays-tilt-with-south-brunswick/…
By Braulio Perez | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on October 29, 2014 6:20 p.m.
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- 10/31 - 7:00 PM Football
South Brunswick
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When No. 17
Piscataway hosts 7-0
South Brunswick at 7 p.m. on Friday, Chiefs head coach Dan Higgins knows his team will have a big challenge ahead of them. Piscataway is 6-0 and has recorded three shutouts this season, but South Brunswick’s offense is averaging nearly 36 points per game in 2014.
South Brunswick is led by running back and Syracuse commit
Dontae Strickland, who has rushed for 750 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. There’s no question he and several other offensive players will provide a challenge for the Chiefs. On Wednesday evening, Piscataway head man Dan Higgins spoke with NJ Advance Media about Strickland, the rivalry between the two schools and more.
When people hear South Brunswick vs. Piscataway, obviously they think of great GMC football. How much fun is this game each year?
“It’s a fun game. We have a healthy rivalry going back for a bunch of years. Both teams have been competitive and both teams have sent guys to play Division-I football, whether it be Rutgers or other schools. When we get together, it’s a high-quality football game at a high level."
It’s no secret they like to run the ball. They’ve got Syracuse commit Dontae Strickland and a tough runner in Phil Campbell. What must your guys do to try and contain them?
“You said the magic word, it’s contain. We need multiple bodies on the ball. You don’t want to go one-on-on with him (Strickland) because he’s fast enough to beat you. He’s capabale of making big plays, so we’re going to really have to do a good job of our pursuit angles and getting guys to the ball.”
Defensively, your team has allowed 20 points all season and recorded three shutouts. What have your guys been able to do on the field to make that happen?
“Pretty much we’ve just played fundamentally sound on all three levels. The defensive line is pretty solid, the linebackers are doing their job and behind them, the defensive backs are doing what they’re supposed to do. There’s no real weaknesses, so everyone has been playing their position and when you do that, good things can happen.”
You’ve got Elijah Barnwell and Elijah Pierson, who have been able to effectively run the ball throughout the season. Is the plan to feed them the rock on Friday and let them do their thing?
“There’s no doubt about it. That’s what we’re all about. We like our offensive line and we have quality fullbacks and tailbacks. We have two really good ones (Barnwell and Pierson), so that’s what this game will come down to offensively for us.”
With their running backs and your running backs, it’s safe to assume the guys are going to be battling it out all night right?
“There’s going to be some collisions. Their guys play on defense and our guys do too. It’s going to be best on best and that’s what makes this matchup so exciting.”
